Petoskey doctor arrested on sex charges

The Emmet County Sheriff's Office has arrested a Petoskey-area physician on criminal sexual conduct charges involving one of his patients.

Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin said deputies arrested Dr. Robert Townsend, 44, Monday on three counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of stalking.

Wallin said after a lengthy investigation, deputies arrested Townsend for inappropriate sexual encounters with one of his patients. As the investigation progressed, information surfaced that the suspect allegedly made several attempts to contact a second patient for what appears to be sexually-related purposes, Wallin said.

Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 3rd degree is a felony punishable up to 15 years in prison. Townsend, who works at a local family clinic, has been released from jail after posting 10 percent of a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on April 4.

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Wallin added during the six month investigation detectives from Charlevoix County, Cheboygan County and his department spent hours collecting evidence in this case. Wallin would like to thank Charlevoix and Cheboygan County sheriff offices for their assistance in this investigation.

Wallin said although an arrest has been made in the case, the investigation is ongoing. He asks anyone with further information relating to this case to contact Det./Cpl. J L Sumpter at 439-8901.